A Bunch of Excuses (and why they don't work)

I can't go back to school because I...

AM TOO OLD. The mean age of students at SRJC is about 37! Last academic year approximately 10,000 students and prospective students over 25 came to the Adult Reentry office to access our services.

DO NOT HAVE TIME. Adult Reentry counselors will work with you to adjust your schedule. You could attend one of our free seminars on time management. You could sign up for one of our Effective Study Workshop classes so you can learn time management techniques.

CANNOT AFFORD IT. At $20 per unit, SRJC is the best education bargain around! A variety of grants, scholarships and other financial aids are available for SRJC students.

HAVE FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. Family members can cooperate by sharing and taking on more responsibility. Besides, you set a fine example for family members when you pursue your education.

HAVE CHILDREN TO TAKE CARE OF. There are options for childcare that can be explored with the Adult Reentry staff or counselors.

CANNOT LEAVE MY JOB. Most SRJC students work too. Consider innovative work patterns such as part-time or flextime, job sharing, split shift, or split location. We offer classes in the morning, afternoon, and evening, as well as on the weekends.

THINK GETTING A CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE WILL TAKE TOO LONG. Time will go by whether or not you are working on a certificate or degree. If it is an important goal, you owe it to yourself to strive for it. Since a degree program usually takes longer, consider earning a certificate, which is a shorter program of study.

DO NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH ALL THE RED TAPE. Who does? Adult Reentry staff and counselors are here to make SRJC "user friendly" and will work through the process with you or refer you to the right person for answers to your questions.

HAVE A DISABILITY. SRJC has an excellent Disability Resources Department with a variety of services and specialized instruction available.

DO NOT HAVE GOOD ACADEMIC SKILLS. College Skills, Basic Skills Lab, Writing Center and Tutorial Center are a few of the many resources available to SRJC students for help with their coursework.

DON'T READ WELL. College Skills, the Writing Center and Tutorial Center are some of the resources to help improve reading skills. Enrolling in a College Survival Techniques (COUN 55) class for reentry students would also be helpful.

HAVE POOR ENGLISH SKILLS. SRJC has a great English-Second-Language Department to help you improve your English language skills.

HAVE NOT DONE WELL IN SCHOOL IN THE PAST. Give yourself another chance. Maturity and life experience deepens comprehension and understanding.

MIGHT FAIL. We'll help you choose goals that are challenging and exciting, so that you want to succeed. Strong personal motivation, combined with available counseling, and help with time management can give you the will and commitment to make it work.

Any other excuses? Drop by or call the Adult Reentry office at (707) 527-4375. We can help you feel confident and prepared!

Questions and comments about this page contact hzarate@santarosa.edu.